FAQs

General Questions

How do I reach the BDAE in a medical emergency?

In the event of a medical emergency (e.g. an accident, an unscheduled hospital admission due to an emergency situation, etc.) you can reach the BDAE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on the emergency hotline +49-40-30 68 74 74. Contact with medical assistance is still guaranteed.

What are the benefits included in the BDAE membership?

As a member of BDAE e.V. you have the following exclusive benefits:

Detailed information about living in your designated country and advice on social security issues

Web-access to further information regarding your designated country

Assistance services by ALLIANZ GLOBAL ASSISTANCE Service Deutschland

What happens to my annuity insurance/nursing insurance when I go abroad?

Depending on the country you are going to and the duration of your stay losing some years of contributions might be the consequence. This could also result in the loss of having no right to benefits after returning home. Therefore we recommend that you seek advice before you leave the country – possibly from our foreign advisory service.

What means entitlement?

This is relevant is situations where a person holding a health insurance policy moves abroad for work or studies. During the period of stay abroad, the policy is effectively put on hold, and no benefits can be claimed under it. However, upon the Insured person’s return to Germany it can be re-activated. This is what ‚entitlement‘ guarantees.

The difference between a „Kleine Anwartschaft“ („small dormant solution“) and a „Große Anwartschaft“ („big dormant solution") are old age provision which are build up during a big dormant solution. Thereby your original entry age remain the same after reactivating your old contract. Metaphorically your health status and original entry aged will be frozen with the beginning of your entitlement.

What is a deductible?

A deductible is the portion of the claimed costs which is borne by the Insured member-this can either be on an annual accumulated basis or on a per claim basis. Only the amount exceeding the deductible will be paid by the Insurer. As a result, products with a higher deductible still have lower premiums.

What is a tariff?

This term is a synonym for insurance product. Almost all BDAE tariffs start with EXPAT. The following name (e.g. FLEXIBLE or PRIVATE) then defines the certain tariff or product. Hence, if we ask you for your tariff, we mean the name of your insurance product.

Questions on Claims Handling

What is the safest and fastest way to get my claims to the BDAE?

You can send us invoices of up to 1.000 euros simply and securely via our web upload.

What is the definition of pre-existing conditions?

All medical conditions (diseases, chronic diseases etc.) which existed before the inception date of the policy are considered to be pre-existing conditions. This also includes an existing need for medical treatment, follow-up treatment and related drugs and medical aids.

When is a release from duty of confidentiality needed?

It might become necessary to ask a former insurer or doctor for more information on a certain claim or application. To allow them to pass this information to us, your consent is needed.

Do I have free choice of medical practitioner?

Yes, anywhere in the world you can choose your medical practitioner freely.

Which hospitals would you recommend?

Which treatments are covered and what do I have to be aware of while being pregnant?

The following treatments are covered depending on your product:

• Pregnancy examinations, ultrasound testing, delivery• If medically necessary: midwife services during pregnancy,• 14 midwife consultation during and after delivery (adopting the principles of the statutory health system of Germany)

Please send us a copy of the expectant mother’s records of prenatal and natal care or something comparable after you come to know about your pregnancy.

Are rehabilitation treatments covered?

No.

What happens if a visit to my home country exceeds the time covered by my policy.

You will not be reimbursed for any medical costs you incur in these circumstances.

Does my insurance cover visits to my home country?

Yes - depending on the tariff, you will be covered for visits to your home country up to a certain number of days. Please see the details in the terms and conditions of your policy.

When is medical evacuation possible?

To enable fast handling of your claim, it is important to submitt all original bills, receipts and documents related to your condition.

Yo will find further information on the claims reimbursment form for your policy. This can be downloaded here.

What information do I need to provide in order to be reimbursed for my medical bills.

To allow a fast handling of your claims it is important that all original bills, receipts and documents related to your condition are submitted.

You will find further information on the claims reimbursement form of your product. These can be downloaded here.

In which language should the bills be in?

We ask that you submit your bills in either German or English whereever possible.

What is the time limit for submitting my bills?

Bills can be submitted up to three years from the date of the claim - irrespective of wether you are still insured with us at the time you submitt them. The three years are counted from the end of the year in which the claim occurs.

However, we do of course prefer claims to be submitted as soon as possible, as it is more difficult to process then the more time has passed.

Can I submit my bills via email or fax?

We need the original bills in order to handle your claim. It is currently not possible to pre-check bills sent via email or fax.

What should I do if I have lost the original bills?

Dental bills must be broken down to show the cost of each individual treatment for each treated tooth treated.

The majority of our products cover simple basic dental fillings (amalgam fillings). If you would prefer to have composite fillings, you are free to do so but we will only reimburse you for the cost of amalgam fillings. Please ask your dentist to confirm the costs for a basic filling in your destination country and submit that confirmation with your bill.

For more details about your policy, please check the terms and conditions.

What do I need to know regarding dental treatment?

Dental bills have to be broken down by the cost of each single treatment for each treated tooth.

The majority of our products cover simple dental fillings (amalgam fillings). If you want to have composite fillings instead, you are free to obtain them but we will only refund the price of an amalgam filling. To take the country specific costs for simple fillings in account please ask your dentist to confirm these costs and submit that confirmation with your bill.

Annual check-ups are covered but no preventive treatments (dental clearance, deep cleaning or the like).

For details and certain conditions relating to your products, please check the terms and conditions of your products.

How are the procedures for coverage of dental prosthesis?

You will need to obtain a cost plan for the treatment from your dentist and send it to us. We will then confirm the amount covered in writing. Please be aware that waiting periods and coverage limitations relating to your product will be applicable.

What should I do if I need a dental prothesis?

If you would like to confirm how much of the cost will be covered by your policy before undergoing treatment, you will need to obtain a cost plan from your dentist and send it to us. We will then send you written confirmation of the amount covered.

Please take note of the waiting periods and coverage limitations associated with your policy.

Questions on contracts and applications

Do I have to undergo a medical examination beforehand?

When you apply for an EXPAT GERMANY policy, you must submit a health certificate or evidence of a previous German insurance policy if you have been resident in Germany for longer than 31 days. The health certificate must not have been issued more than 14 days before the date of your application.

When you apply for an EXPAT RETIRED policy, you must submit a health declaration. If you are aged 60 or above, you must also submit a health certificate which was issued no more than 3 months before the date of the application.

Why do most of your products have a time limit?

Usually, expatriates only stay abroad for a limited period of time. Most of our insurance products are designed for these circumstances. The limited policy durations also mean that we can offer better premiums than other providers.

But for moving abroad permanently, we have developed EXPAT RETIRED and EXPAT RESIDENT - which has no time limits at all.

Is it possible to pay the insurance premium via bank transfer?

Yes. But please note that if you pay in instalments you will be charged an additional fee of 2% of your premium for biannual instalments.

Please contact us if you have further questions on this subject.

Why does BDAE charge extra for payment in multiple instalments?

Payments made in instalments create additional administrative work. To cover the resulting costs, we are obliged to charge additional fees.

What are the terms of cancellation?

Our terms of cancellation are as follows:

Private/individual health insurance products (excluding EXPAT RETIRED and EXPAT RESIDENT): you can give notice of cancellation at any time and the policy will be cancelled at the end of the following month

Corporate health insurance and unemployment insurance: you can give notice of cancellation at any time and the policy will be cancelled at the end of the current month

EXPAT RETIRED and EXPAT RESIDENT, liability insurance, accident insurance and legal expenses insurance: the policy can only be cancelled at the end of the current insurance year and you must give at least three months’ notice

BDAE membership can only be cancelled at the end of the current calendar year and you must give at least three months’ notice

Can I cancel my insurance immediately after returning to my home country?

You must observe our terms of cancellation. There is one exception to this, under Section 205 of the German Insurance Contract Act (VVG): if you are legally obliged to take out health insurance in Germany following your return, then you may cancel your policy with us up to 3 months following the date from which this obligation applies. In this case, you will need to provide proof of the obligation within two months after we request this in writing.

What will you accept as proof of my stay abroad?

We may request the following documents as proof:

Passport

Flight tickets

Confirmation of visa

How often can I renew my insurance cover?

The product EXPAT PRIVATE offers the possibility of a one-off extension for a further 5 years with the consent of the insurance company.

For our other products, please consult the terms and conditions and contact us if you have any questions.

What do I need to know if I live in the USA or in Canada?

Many of our products have a special deductible for the USA/Canada. In addition, you must notify the insurer of a planned stay in the USA/Canada in advance.

Please take note of the terms and conditions of your policy.

Please also note that claims for the USA/Canada are handled by our service provider.

What is the overall level of cover offered - is it comparable to statutory or private insurance in Germany?

The range of benefits offered depends on the policy you choose. Generally speaking, all products in the EXPAT series offer cover that is comparable to private health insurance cover in Germany.